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Stanton catches fire to lead Yankees past Athletics

Giancarlo Stanton looked a little more like a reigning MVP while leading the New York Yankees to a 6-2 win over the Oakland Athletics on Sunday.

The high-priced slugger went four for four with two runs scored, a home run and three RBIs. The hit barrage boosted Stanton's average up to .252.

Fellow Yankees slugger Aaron Judge went two for four with two runs scored, an RBI and a walk. Known as a power hitter, Judge is batting .311 this season, bouncing back from a poor second half of last year.

New York ace Luis Severino started for the Yankees, allowing just one run in six innings with seven strikeouts. He improved to 6-1 with a 2.14 ERA this season, proving he is an American League (AL) Cy Young contender.

The win helped the Yankees (28-12) remain tied with the Red Sox for the AL East lead, and MLB's best record.

GOMES, RAMIREZ LEAD INDIANS

Indians sluggers Yan Gomes and Jose Ramirez led Cleveland to an 11-2 victory over the Royals. Gomes went four for five with a home run, three runs scored and three RBIs. Ramirez collected two hits, two walks, a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs.

Braves starting pitcher Sean Newcomb could be this year's breakout performer after turning in his third straight scoreless start. Newcomb lasted six innings, striking out six, while allowing just one hit in a 4-3 win over the Marlins. He now owns a 2.51 ERA, and he has struck out 54 in his 46.2 innings in 2018.

Brewers star prospect Freddy Peralta struck out 13 over 5.2 scoreless innings in a 7-3 win over the Rockies. The 21-year-old only allowed a single while starting in place of injured Chase Anderson.

For the second straight game, Rays pitchers struggled to get Orioles hitters out. This time, starter Blake Snell was lit up for five earned runs off six hits in just three innings, leading to a 17-1 loss. Snell, a breakout performer this season, still has a solid 3.12 ERA, but Tampa allowed 15 runs through six innings as whole.

The Brew Crew head out West to face the reeling Diamondbacks. Arizona won all of their series in April, but have struggled at the turn of the calendar. Paul Goldschmidt needs to get going, but the Diamondbacks should be helped by the expected return of third baseman Jake Lamb. Milwaukee boast one of the most explosive lineups in MLB, but may need more rotation help.